29 Gallon Progress

**ericp2311** · 05-19-2012, 09:11 PM

Hey All,

Thanks to this great forum, I was able to get my 29 gallon up and running using the fishless cycle method. Once the cycle was complete, I continued to maintain it with ammonia for another week, just to be certain that everything was stable. Then I did a massive (75%) wc to reduce nitrates, turned down the temp to 77 - 78 range and added 3 platys (1 male, 2 females). They have been there for a week and seem to be thriving in their new home. Ammonia and nitrites have remained at zero, and I just did my first weekly wc (50%) to deal with the nitrates that were around 20ppm. Now I'm well below 10ppm.

Substrate is 50% Carib Sea Floramax, 50% aquarium gravel.

Lighting is low, and it's a bit of an issue for me. Right now I have a single flourescent tube in a hood above the tank. It was open stock when I got it, so I don't know exactly what the specs are, but it isn't enough. While cycling, I ordered an upgrade, the Current USA Nova Extreme T5 X2 Freshwater Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 2X24 Watt. For some reason, this item is out of stock everywhere. I finally found one place that had it in stock, so i pounced on it. It took a week to arrive, and when it did get here, it was defective! Only one of the fixtures worked! So lame. I called the company the next day, and they said they would send me out a replacement, along with a shipping label so I could return the defective unit. They haven't shipped it yet, it will be a week on Monday. I suspect they are out of stock, as well. I'm going to raise heck with them on Monday, but that isn't really the point of this post...

Right now I have anacharis, both rooted in the substrate and floating, that isn't really thriving in my light. I had hornwort, rooted and floating that basically disintegrated on me so I got rid of it. I have Amazon Swords that aren't thriving. I'm hoping they'll be able to hold out until I finally get a decent light, but I'm thinking of pitching them (and the anacharis) and starting over after the light comes. Java Moss, Java Fern and anubias are attached to mopani wood and are doing ok.

Future stocking plans include enough cherry shrimp to create a sustainable population, more plants when the light arrives, perhaps a school of rummy nose tetras, perhaps 2 or 3 rams, and that'll probably be enough.

Here are pics - I really want to hear your thoughts, ideas and suggestions!

**ScottishFish** · 05-19-2012, 09:51 PM

Looks good

**Cermet** · 05-19-2012, 10:52 PM

Congrats on the cycle.

AS I understand it, when you are ready after the cycle completes, I believe you need to do a 100% water change. This WC is to remove all the ammonia from the tank - not just most the nitrates.

**isaactifist** · 05-19-2012, 11:11 PM

Nah you've done well. If ammonia and nitrite are zero why would one perform a water change to remove ammonia *brain explodes*. WC's to keep nitrates down, and you're on easy street

**ericp2311** · 05-20-2012, 02:44 AM

I just added 20 - 30 cherry shrimp that I bought from a local guy for $10. Didn't count them, I was paying for 20 and there were more than that, all of different sizes. While they were acclimating, I let the platys gorge on veggie wafers and peas, both new foods for them. Once I added the shrimp, they basically vanished into the tank! I have to watch for a while before I can spot one. Platys spot them about as often as I do, and try to eat them, but they are way too fast!

The guy I bought the shrimp from included a bag of crystalline sodium thiosulfate for use as a dechlorinator. Anyone use this?

**CrazedMichael** · 05-20-2012, 11:45 AM

Nice to hear you are following proper husbandry and your fish will repay you with long life. But i do want to say, the toxins iin the water would not make much difference to the fish since you have only 3 in a 29g. WC's would take care of it.

**wijnands** · 05-20-2012, 12:35 PM

OK,

The tank looks a bit bare but that will improve over time.
As to the shrimp, provide a bit of shelter. There's room behind the big tree stump for some ceramic pipe or even a small flower pot on it's side. The shrimp need a safe place when they moult.

Plants. Could be your photography but I don't think lack of light is the main issue. What's under the gravel?

**ericp2311** · 05-20-2012, 05:22 PM

There is nothing under the gravel. It is Carib Sea Floramax and aquarium gravel, mixed 50 - 50, to a depth of about 2 inches.

**ericp2311** · 05-20-2012, 06:52 PM

Good call on the flower pot! I actually had a small one on hand that had never been used. I put it in upside down, and tilted slightly so there is an entrance hole at the bottom, in addition to the drainage hole at the top. I baited it with a small piece of veggie wafer.

I'm pretty sure it's platy proof, but I want to keep it in sight until I'm sure.

Pic attached. Taking this picture, i noticed that photos make my tank look much brighter than it appears in the room. The water is pretty murky from the mopani wood.

**Cermet** · 05-20-2012, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by isaactifist

Nah you've done well. If ammonia and nitrite are zero why would one perform a water change to remove ammonia *brain explodes*. WC's to keep nitrates down, and you're on easy street

Not as much as their fish will - a test kit is not very accurate and zero ammonia could still be over 0.25 ppm - by the way, shrimp are hyper sensitive to ammonia and any other trace toxins. So, my pointis, why take the chance? A water change of 100% is trival and little more work than a 75%. Also, no guarantee that the ammonia used didn't have some other nasty trace chemicals. Before you jump to conclusions about someone's advice being pointless, try to realize that others have concerns and information that you may not know. If you do not like my advice, simply state your case without insults. Thank you.